At the Conservative conference last year, the Prime Minister announced his intention to support the redefinition of marriage to include same-sex couples for the first time. The decision provoked a wave of anger and concern from religious groups, Tory activists and MPs, including some ministers.

Lord Carey told the meeting at Birmingham Town Hall that re-defining marriage would “strike at the very fabric of society”.

“I have the highest regard for David Cameron,” he said. “I do hope at this point that in the months to come, he may have the courage to back down on this proposal.”

Lord Carey said politicians did not have the “authority” to alter the definition of something as profound as marriage.

However, he rejected suggestions that the true “bigots” were those who advocated gay marriage and would not listen to legitimate concerns of religious groups who disagreed.

“Let’s have a sensible debate about this, not call people names,” he said.

And directly after that sentence, Lord Carey a) invited his opponents over for tea, b) admitted he was gay himself, or c) said he considered his opponents as evil as Nazis?